State and local briefly

Beginning Tuesday with file cabinets and paperwork, the department commenced its big move to its new facility at 6255 Alaway Avenue in Lemon Creek. It will take several days to shift furniture and stored evidence, but the move should not cause any shortage of police services to the community, said Chief of Police Mel Personett.

The move should be complete next Tuesday. On that date, all police operations and administrative functions will be conducted from the Alaway facility. Until then, all police telephone numbers will remain in operation. Anyone having business with the department may call 586-2780 or 586-0600.

Similarly, the emergency 911 system will be in effect 24 hours a day and there will be no gap in service. An open house and dedication are planned for mid-May, but no date has been set.

Browning, 44, has been employed with the Amarillo Police Department since 1979. After accepting the Juneau position, Browning resigned his position as a captain in charge of the detective division. He is expected to begin work in Juneau on March 13.

Browning is a graduate of Florida State University with a Masters of Science degree in criminology. He is a 1998 graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds master peace officer certification in Texas. In addition, he has thousands of hours of training in police supervision, management and technology.

There were four finalists for the position, said Personett's secretary Maggie Ford, and the process started in July 1999.

Thompson's body recovered from crash

FAIRBANKS - The body of Morris Thompson, former chief of Doyon Ltd., has been recovered from the site of the the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 off the California coast, according to a medical examiner.

Thompson, 60, was killed, along with his wife Thelma and daughter Sheryl, when the plane they were on crashed Jan. 31 into the Pacific Ocean just off Los Angeles. The three were returning from a vacation at the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. The vacation was a gift Doyon presented to Thompson when he retired from the corporation in December. All 88 people aboard the plane were killed.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner's office said Monday it had identified the remains of 47 victims and released 20 names.

Julie Frey, spokeswoman for medical examiner's office, declined to say whether the remains of Thelma or Sheryl have been recovered.

The medical examiner's office said Tuesday it also had recovered the body of Malcolm Branson, 39, of Ketchikan, the son of former state legislator Margaret Branson.